BAKED FETA PASTA Recipe
Let me introduce you to BAKED FETA PASTA, a dish that combines creamy, tangy feta cheese with juicy roasted tomatoes, fresh basil, and toothsome bow tie pasta for a truly irresistible meal. This recipe has skyrocketed in popularity for good reason: it’s effortless to prepare, bursting with color, and layered with flavor in every forkful. If you love vibrant Mediterranean-inspired dishes that come together with minimal fuss, you’re in for a treat!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list for BAKED FETA PASTA is refreshingly simple, but each component pulls its weight in transforming everyday pantry staples into a feast. Each item adds its own pop of flavor, creamy richness, or vibrant freshness, so don’t be tempted to skip any part!
- Grape tomatoes: Their intense sweetness and perfect bite-size make them ideal for roasting and bursting with juicy flavor.
- Feta cheese (8 oz brick): The true star of the dish, feta bakes up creamy, slightly tangy, and creates that iconic luscious sauce.
- Italian seasoning: A savory blend that infuses the cheese and tomatoes with notes of basil, oregano, and rosemary.
- Salt: Essential to enhance the natural flavors, but use sparingly since feta is already salty.
- Olive oil: Adds richness to the sauce, helps the tomatoes blister, and keeps everything luxuriously silky.
- Fresh basil: Sprinkled at the end, basil cuts through the richness with herbaceous, bright flavor.
- Bow tie pasta (farfalle): Its fun shape catches all that creamy sauce—use it freshly cooked and still hot so it soaks up every drop.
How to Make BAKED FETA PASTA
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Tomatoes
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. While the oven warms up, wash and dry your grape tomatoes, then scatter them in a medium-sized baking dish. This ensures every tomato is ready to burst and caramelize in the oven, releasing those juices essential for the sauce.
Step 2: Center the Feta
Nestle that 8-ounce brick of feta cheese right in the middle of the tomatoes. Positioning it at the center means the cheese will melt evenly and soak up all those delicious tomato juices and olive oil, creating the signature creaminess of BAKED FETA PASTA.
Step 3: Olive Oil Drizzle, Part One
Drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil generously over both the tomatoes and the feta. This not only prevents sticking but also helps everything roast to perfection and allows the flavors to mingle as they bake together.
Step 4: Season Generously
Sprinkle the Italian seasoning and salt evenly across the cheese and tomatoes. The seasoning will soak right into the feta and aromatize the entire dish, while the salt sharpens and balances all the flavors.
Step 5: The Final Olive Oil Touch
Give everything one more drizzle of olive oil—2 more tablespoons—focusing on the top of the feta. This extra coating helps the cheese brown beautifully and lends a silky texture to the finished sauce.
Step 6: Bake Until Bubbling
Pop the baking dish into the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the tomatoes have burst open and the feta is golden and soft. Your kitchen will smell amazing, and the sight of blistered tomatoes and melty cheese is pure magic.
Step 7: Stir, Mash, and Basil Blitz
Remove the dish from the oven and stir everything together immediately—pressing the feta and tomatoes until they meld into a creamy, pink-hued sauce. Toss in the chopped fresh basil at this point while everything is piping hot so its flavor infuses the dish perfectly.
Step 8: Pasta Party
Tip in your cooked, drained bow tie pasta while it’s still warm. Fold everything together thoroughly to coat each piece in the creamy feta-tomato sauce. Serve hot, with every pasta bow glistening and nestled in savory goodness.
How to Serve BAKED FETA PASTA
Garnishes
Give your BAKED FETA PASTA a finishing flourish with a scatter of extra fresh basil leaves, a little cracked black pepper, or even a touch of lemon zest. These bright pops wake up the dish visually and add that little extra something to every bite.
Side Dishes
Round out your meal with an easy green salad tossed in a zingy vinaigrette or some crusty garlic bread for dunking in that irresistible sauce. For protein, pair with simply grilled chicken or shrimp—they play beautifully with the savory, creamy flavors of BAKED FETA PASTA.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve it family-style straight from the baking dish for a rustic, inviting centerpiece, or for a modern twist, spoon the pasta into individual bowls and top each with a mini cluster of roasted tomatoes and a crumble of extra feta. If you’re feeling playful, try serving over sautéed greens or even as a pasta salad cooled down for a summery gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra BAKED FETA PASTA (though that’s a big “if”), store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors deepen and mellow after sitting, making it just as satisfying for next-day lunches or busy weeknights.
Freezing
While this dish tastes best fresh, you can freeze leftovers if needed. Place fully cooled BAKED FETA PASTA in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to one month. Give it a good stir when reheating since the sauce may separate a bit.
Reheating
To reheat, pop leftovers in the microwave, covering loosely to prevent splattering, or warm gently on the stovetop over low heat. Add a splash of water, milk, or olive oil to revive the sauce’s creaminess if it’s looking a little dry.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of tomato?
Absolutely! Cherry tomatoes work beautifully in place of grape tomatoes—just aim for similar size so they cook evenly and burst well, creating that luscious sauce BAKED FETA PASTA is known for.
Is it possible to make this dairy-free?
You can use a firm, dairy-free feta alternative, which will still melt nicely and provide a creamy element. Just be sure to check seasoning, as vegan feta can have less salt, and adjust to your taste.
What other pasta shapes work?
While bow tie pasta is wonderfully festive and holds sauce well, you can also use penne, rigatoni, or even rotini. Just make sure the pasta is cooked al dente and kept warm for the best blend.
Can I add vegetables or protein?
Definitely! Roasted spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers add depth, while shredded rotisserie chicken or cooked shrimp bring a satisfying protein punch—just stir in at the end with the pasta.
Will reduced-fat feta work in this recipe?
Reduced-fat feta does soften but may not get quite as creamy as full-fat feta. If you use it, consider adding a splash of milk or cream when mashing to achieve that signature rich texture of BAKED FETA PASTA.
Final Thoughts
There’s something magical about the simplicity and pure comfort of BAKED FETA PASTA. It’s a recipe that instantly wins over anyone who tries it, so I can’t wait for you to make it your own! Gather your ingredients, invite someone hungry, and get ready to fall in love with every creamy, savory, sun-kissed bite.
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BAKED FETA PASTA Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Baked Feta Pasta recipe has taken the internet by storm for its simplicity and delicious flavors. With juicy grape tomatoes, creamy Feta cheese, and aromatic herbs, this easy dish is a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Grape Tomatoes:
- 2 ½ cups grape tomatoes, washed and dried
Feta Cheese:
- 1-8 oz brick of Feta cheese
Italian Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt:
- ½ teaspoon salt
Olive Oil:
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
Fresh Basil:
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Bow Tie Pasta:
- 12 oz bow tie pasta, cooked, drained, and kept warm
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Add tomatoes to a medium-sized baking dish.
- Place Feta cheese in the center of the tomatoes.
- Drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil over the tomatoes and cheese.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning and salt over the cheese and tomatoes.
- Drizzle 2 more tablespoons of olive oil over the Feta.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the cheese softens.
- Remove from oven. Stir the cheese and tomatoes until combined. Add chopped fresh basil.
- Mix in the cooked pasta until well combined. Serve hot.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Baked Feta Pasta, Feta Pasta Recipe, TikTok Pasta, Easy Pasta Recipe
